Stair assistance device

ABSTRACT

A stair assistance device includes a rail unit having a toothed rail which has a teeth row. A base movably is engaged with the toothed rail and includes a pulley unit and a brake unit. The pulley unit is movable relative to the rail unit. The brake unit includes a roller which is engaged with the teeth row. A brake member is movably engaged with or disengaged from the roller. A grip unit is movably connected to the base and drives the brake member. The grip unit includes a grip which extends outward relative to the rail unit. The users hold the grip unit to control the brake member to be disengaged from the roller. The stair assistance device moves the users by the cooperation between the roller and the teeth row.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Fields of the Invention

The present invention relates to a stair assistance device for assisting people to walk and climb stairs.

2. Descriptions of Related Art

U.S. Publication Number 2016/0090743 discloses a stair assistance device and comprises a handle, a saddle for engagement with a guide rail mounted alongside the stairs. The saddle is connected to the handle and arranged for sliding motion along the guide rail. A braking rail for mounting alongside the stairs is parallel to the guide rail, and a bracket is connected to the saddle. The bracket is used to selectively engage with the braking rail to prevent motion of the handle and saddle along the guide rail. The bracket and the braking rail together form a releasable ratchet that, when engaged, prevents movement of the handle in a downstairs direction and allows movement of the handle in an upstairs direction. The handle may be coupled to the pawl of the ratchet such that a predetermined movement of the handle will disengage the pawl from the ratchet. Nevertheless, operation of the braking rail and the ratchet generate noise, and the ratchet needs to be specially manufactured which increases manufacturing cost.

Another assistance device is disclosed in FIG. 22, wherein the user hold rails 7 to keep his body in balance, and by alternatively moving forward his arms to practice walk forward. This action requires strong muscles and may cause injures to the upper body and hands.

The present invention intends to provide a stair assistance device to eliminate the shortcomings mentioned above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a stair assistance device and comprises a rail unit having a toothed rail which has a teeth row. A base movably is engaged with the toothed rail and includes a pulley unit and a brake unit. The pulley unit is movable relative to the rail unit. The brake unit includes a roller which is engaged with the teeth row. A brake member is movably engaged with or disengaged from the roller. A grip unit is movably connected to the base and drives the brake member. The grip unit includes a grip which extends outward relative to the rail unit. The users hold the grip unit to control the brake member to be disengaged from the roller. The stair assistance device moves the users by the cooperation between the roller and the teeth row.

The present invention will become more apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which show, for purposes of illustration only, a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a portion of the stair assistance device of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the stair assistance device of the present invention;

FIG. 3 a perspective view of the stair assistance device of the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows the grip unit of the stair assistance device of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a partial cross sectional view of the grip unit of the stair assistance device of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a partial cross sectional view of the grip unit of the stair assistance device of the present invention, wherein the handle is pivoted;

FIG. 7 shows a front end of the stair assistance device of the present invention;

FIG. 8 shows a rear end of the stair assistance device of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an exploded view to show the brake unit of the stair assistance device of the present invention;

FIG. 10 shows another exploded view to show the brake unit of the stair assistance device of the present invention;

FIG. 11 shows a side view of the stair assistance device of the present invention;

FIG. 12 shows that the grip unit drives the brake unit of the stair assistance device of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a side view to show that the grip unit drives the brake unit of the stair assistance device of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is another side view to show that the grip unit drives the brake unit of the stair assistance device of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a side view to show that the grip unit drives the brake unit of the stair assistance device of the present invention;

FIG. 16 shows that the stair assistance device of the present invention is used to assist a user to climb stairs;

FIG. 17 shows the second embodiment of the stair assistance device of the present invention;

FIG. 18 shows the third embodiment of the stair assistance device of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is an exploded view show to show the brake member and the roller of the third embodiment of the stair assistance device of the present invention;

FIG. 20 shows that the brake member is disengaged from the roller of the third embodiment of the stair assistance device of the present invention;

FIG. 21 shows that the brake member is engaged with the roller of the third embodiment of the stair assistance device of the present invention;

FIG. 22 shows a user uses rails during rehabilitation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the stair assistance device 1 of the present invention comprises a rail unit 2 having a toothed rail 21 which includes a teeth row 211 composed of multiple teeth. A base 3 is slidably engaged with the toothed rail 21 and has a pulley unit 4 and a brake unit 5. The pulley unit 4 is slidably engaged with the rail unit 2. The brake unit 5 includes a roller 51 which is engaged with the teeth row 211. A brake member 52 is movably engaged with or disengaged from the roller 51. A grip unit 6 is movably connected to the base 3 and drives the brake member 52. The grip unit 6 has a grip 61 which extends outward relative to the rail unit 2.

When in use, the user holds the grip 61 and alternatively move his/her legs. During movement, the grip 61 drives the base 3 forward, and the pulley unit 4 moves along the toothed rail 21, and the roller 51 is rotatably engaged with the teeth row 211. The user does not need to swing his/her two hands, his/her two hands hold the grip 6 in a horizontal position so that the body can keep balance during movement. The base 3 is moved by the user and the roller 51 is rotatably engaged with the teeth row 211, so that the user moves steadily.

The roller 51 includes first gear 511, and the brake member 52 includes teeth which are engaged with the first gear 511.

As shown in FIGS. 7 to 11, the brake unit 5 includes a handle lever 53, a release shaft 54, a release block 55 and a cable 56. The handle lever 53 has the first end thereof fixed to the grip unit 6, and the second end of the handle lever 53 contacts the release shaft 54. The cable 56 is connected between the release shaft 54 and the release block 55. The release block 55 is fixed to the brake member 52. The fixed part 62 of the grip unit 6 pushes the handle lever 53 which pushes the release shaft 54 to pull the cable 56 to move the release block 55 and the brake member 52 to separate from the first gear 511.

The brake unit 5 includes a bottom board 57 and a spring 58 which is mounted to the cable 56. The bottom board 57 includes a recess 571 defined in the first side thereof. The roller 51 is pivotably connected to the first end of the recess 571, and a portion of the roller 51 is exposed beyond the recess 571 and engaged with the teeth row 211. The brake member 52 is slidably connected to a second end of the recess 571. The release block 55 is located on the second side of the bottom board 57. Bolts extend through the release block 55, the bottom board 57 and the brake member 52, so that the release block 55 is co-movable with the brake member 52. The spring 58 is biased between the release block 55 and the bottom board 57. The release block 54 compresses the spring 58 b when pulling the cable 56. When not in use, the spring 58 releases the release block 55 which drives the brake member 52 to be engaged with the first gear 511 of the roller 51. It is noted when no force is applied to the grip unit 6, the first gear 511 of the roller 51 does not rotate by the engagement between the brake member 52 and the roller 51. The first gear 511 does not move along the teeth row 211. When the user is stationary, the grip 61 does not move randomly.

The brake unit 5 includes a frame 59, a cover 50 mounted to the frame 59, and a release spring 501. The release shaft 54 has the first end thereof horizontally and pivotably connected between the frame 59 and the cover 50. The second end of the release shaft 54 is exposed beyond outside of the frame 59. The handle lever 53 is pivotably connected to the release shaft 54. The release spring 501 is biased between the release shaft 54 and the cover 50. As shown in FIGS. 12 to 15, when using the device, the handle lever 53 is indirectly pushed which pushes the release shaft 54, and the release shaft 54 compresses the release spring 501. When not in use, the release spring 501 pushes the release shaft 54 back to its initial position, and the handle lever 53 returns back to its initial position.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the grip unit 6 includes a fixed part 62, a folding seat 63, a handle 64, a link 65, a mounting member 66 and a plate 67. The handle 64, the folding seat 63 and the fixed part 62 each are pivotably connected to each other at one end thereof by a pin. The handle lever 53 is fixed to the fixed part 62, and the fixed part 62 has a recessed area 68 defined in one side that faces the folding seat 63. The handle 64 includes an eccentric end 641 and an operation end 642, wherein the eccentric end 641 is pivotably connected to the fixed part 62 and faces the recessed area 68. The operation end 642 is located on one side of the folding seat 63. The link 65 has the first end thereof pivotably connected to the eccentric end 641, and the second end of the link 65 is connected to the mounting member 66 which is located opposite to the eccentric end 641. The plate 67 is mounted to the folding seat 63, and the grip 61 is located between the plate 67 and the folding seat 63. The grip 61 is in a form of a frame.

The folding seat 63 includes a lug 631 extending toward the recessed area 68. The link 65 extends through the lug 631 and includes a front section 651 and a rear section 652 which is pivotably connected to the front section 651. A pivotal point between the front and rear sections 651, 652 is located within the recessed area 68. The front section 651 is pivotably connected to the eccentric end 641, and the rear section 652 is connected to the mounting member 66. When the handle 64 is pivoted, the handle 64 pivots the front section 651 toward the mounting member 66 so that the rear section 652 moves axially toward the mounting member 66. The mounting member 66 and the rear section 652 both are moved and do not restrict the fixed part 62 and the folding seat 63, such that the folding seat 63 pivots an angle about the pin relative to the fixed part 62. In this embodiment, the pivotal direction is counter clockwise.

The rail unit 2 includes a guide rail 22 which is located at a distance from the toothed rail 21 and parallel to the toothed rail 21. The base 3 is movably engaged between the guide rail 22 and the toothed rail 21. The pulley unit 4 includes a first pulley unit 41 and a second pulley unit 42. The first pulley unit 41 includes multiple top pulleys 411 and each top pulley 411 has an annular groove defined in an outer periphery thereof. The annular groove faces the guide rail 22. The top pulleys 411 are located on different radial directions of the guide rail 22. The second pulley unit 42 includes multiple bottom pulleys 421 which are movably along the toothed rail 21.

The base 3 includes a housing 30 in which the first pulley unit 41, the second pulley unit 42 and the brake unit 5 are accommodated. The housing 30 includes two side panels 31, a top panel 32, a bottom panel 33, a connection panel 34 and a room 35. The two side panels 31 are located apart from each other. The top panel 32 and the bottom panel 33 are connected between the two side panels 31. The connection panel 34 is connected to one side of the top panel 32 and located between the two side panels 31. The room 35 is defined between the two side panels 31, the top panel 32, the bottom panel 33 and the connection panel 34.

The rail unit 2 is located horizontally to provide the users to walk during rehabilitation. The rail unit 2 can also be arranged along stairs to allow the users to climb the stairs as shown in FIG. 16. The rail unit 2 of the present invention includes the guide rail 22 and the toothed rail 21 that is parallel to the guide rail 22. The first and second pulley units 41, 42 respectively move along the guide rail 22 and the toothed rail 21 so that the base 3 does not shake during movement. The present invention can also be installed to a wall of a house when needed.

As shown in FIG. 17 which shows the second embodiment, the difference from the first embodiment are that the guide rail 22 and the bottom rail 23 that is parallel to the guide rail 22. The bottom rail 23 does not have teeth. The brake unit 5 includes two friction members 602 which are detachably in contact with two sides of the bottom rail 23. The grip unit 6 drives the friction members 602.

As shown in FIGS. 18 to 21, a third embodiment is disclosed, the differences from the first embodiment are that the roller 51 includes a first gear 511 and a second gear 512 which is co-axially located with the first gear 511. The brake member 52 is an elongate member and has the first end thereof pivotably connected to the bottom board 57 in the base 3, and the second end of the brake member 52 includes teeth which are engaged with the second gear 512. The first gear 511 is engaged with the teeth row 211. The brake unit 5 includes a handle lever 53, a release shaft 54 and a cable 56. The handle lever 53 has the first end fixed to the grip unit 6, and the second end of the handle lever 53 contacts the release shaft 54. The cable 56 is connected between the release shaft 54 and the brake lever 52. The fixed part 62 of the grip unit 6 pushes the handle lever 53 which pushes the release shaft 54 to pull the cable 56 to pivot the brake member 52 so as to separate from the second gear 512.

While we have shown and described the embodiment in accordance with the present invention, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A stair assistance device (1) comprising: a rail unit (2) having a toothed rail (21) which includes a teeth row (211) composed of multiple teeth; a base (3) slidably engaged with the toothed rail (21) and having a pulley unit (4) and a brake unit (5), the pulley unit (4) slidably engaged with the rail unit (2), the brake unit (5) having a roller (51) which is engaged with the teeth row (211), a brake member (52) movably engaged with or disengaged from the roller (51), and a grip unit (6) movably connected to the base (3) and driving the brake member (52), the grip unit (6) having a grip (61) which extends outward relative to the rail unit (2).
 2. The stair assistance device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the roller (51) includes first gear (511), the brake member (52) includes teeth which are engaged with the first gear (511).
 3. The stair assistance device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the brake unit (5) includes a handle lever (53), a release shaft (54), a release block (55) and a cable (56), the handle lever (53) has a first end fixed to the grip unit (6), a second end of the handle lever (53) contacts the release shaft (54), the cable (56) is connected between the release shaft (54) and the release block (55), the release block (55) is fixed to the brake member (52), the grip unit (6) pushes the handle lever (53) which pushes the release shaft (54) to pull the cable (56) to move the release block (55) and the brake member (52) to separate from the first gear (511).
 4. The stair assistance device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the brake unit (5) includes a bottom board (57) and a spring (58) which is mounted to the cable (56), the bottom board (57) includes a recess (571) defined in a first side thereof, the roller (51) is pivotably connected to a first end of the recess (571), a portion of the roller (51) is exposed beyond the recess (571) and engaged with the teeth row (211), the brake member (52) is slidably connected to a second end of the recess (571), the release block (55) is located on a second side of the bottom board (57), bolts extend through the release block (55), the bottom board (57) and the brake member (52), the release block (55) is co-movable with the brake member (52), the spring (58) is biased between the release block (55) and the bottom board (57).
 5. The stair assistance device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the roller (51) includes a first gear (511) and a second gear (512) which is co-axially located with the first gear (511), the brake member (52) has a first end thereof pivotably connected to the base (3), a second end of the brake member (52) includes teeth which are engaged with the second gear (512), the first gear (511) is engaged with the teeth row (211).
 6. The stair assistance device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the brake unit (5) includes a handle lever (53), a release shaft (54) and a cable (56), the handle lever (53) has a first end fixed to the grip unit (6), a second end of the handle lever (53) contacts the release shaft (54), the cable (56) is connected between the release shaft (54) and the brake lever (52), the grip unit (6) pushes the handle lever (53) which pushes the release shaft (54) to pull the cable (56) to pivot the brake member (52) so as to separate from the second gear (512).
 7. The stair assistance device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the brake unit (5) includes a frame (59), a cover (50) mounted to the frame (59), and a release spring (501), the release shaft (54) has a first end thereof horizontally and pivotably connected between the frame (59) and the cover (50), a second end of the release shaft (54) is exposed beyond outside of the frame (59), the handle lever (53) pivotably connected to the release shaft (54), the release spring (501) is biased between the release shaft (54) and the cover (50).
 8. The stair assistance device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the brake unit (5) includes a frame (59), a cover (50) mounted to the frame (59), and a release spring (501), the release shaft (54) has a first end thereof horizontally and pivotably connected between the frame (59) and the cover (50), a second end of the release shaft (54) is exposed beyond outside of the frame (59), the handle lever (53) pivotably connected to the release shaft (54), the release spring (501) is biased between the release shaft (54) and the cover (50).
 9. The stair assistance device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the grip unit (6) includes a fixed part (62), a folding seat (63), a handle (64), a link (65), a mounting member (66) and a plate (67), the handle (64), the folding seat (63) and the fixed part (62) each are pivotably connected to each other at one end thereof by a pin, the handle lever (53) is fixed to the fixed part (62), the fixed part (62) has a recessed area (68) defined in one side that faces the folding seat (63), the handle (64) includes an eccentric end (641) and an operation end (642), the eccentric end (641) is pivotably connected to the fixed part (62) and faces the recessed area (68), the operation end (642) is located on one side of the folding seat (63), the link (65) has a first end thereof pivotably connected to the eccentric end (641), a second end of the link (65) is connected to the mounting member (66) which is located opposite to the eccentric end (641), the plate (67) is mounted to the folding seat (63), and the grip (61) is located between the plate (67) and the folding seat (63), the grip (61) is in a form of a frame, the folding seat (63) includes a lug (631) extending toward the recessed area (68), the link (65) extends through the lug (631) and includes a front section (651) and a rear section (652) which is pivotably connected to the front section (651), a pivotal point between the front and rear sections (651, 652) is located within the recessed area (68), the front section (651) is pivotably connected to the eccentric end (641), the rear section (652) is connected to the mounting member (66), when the handle (64) is pivoted, the handle (64) pivots the front section (651) toward the mounting member (66) so that the rear section (652) axially moves toward the mounting member (66), the mounting member (66) and the rear section (652) both are moved and do not restrict the fixed part (62) and the folding seat (63), such that the folding seat (63) pivots an angle about the pin relative to the fixed part (62).
 10. The stair assistance device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the grip unit (6) includes a fixed part (62), a folding seat (63), a handle (64), a link (65), a mounting member (66) and a plate (67), the handle (64), the folding seat (63) and the fixed part (62) each are pivotably connected to each other at one end thereof by a pin, the handle lever (53) is fixed to the fixed part (62), the fixed part (62) has a recessed area (68) defined in one side that faces the folding seat (63), the handle (64) includes an eccentric end (641) and an operation end (642), the eccentric end (641) is pivotably connected to the fixed part (62) and faces the recessed area (68), the operation end (642) is located on one side of the folding seat (63), the link (65) has a first end thereof pivotably connected to the eccentric end (641), a second end of the link (65) is connected to the mounting member (66) which is located opposite to the eccentric end (641), the plate (67) is mounted to the folding seat (63), and the grip (61) is located between the plate (67) and the folding seat (63), the grip (61) is in a form of a frame, the folding seat (63) includes a lug (631) extending toward the recessed area (68), the link (65) extends through the lug (631) and includes a front section (651) and a rear section (652) which is pivotably connected to the front section (651), a pivotal point between the front and rear sections (651, 652) is located within the recessed area (68), the front section (651) is pivotably connected to the eccentric end (641), the rear section (652) is connected to the mounting member (66), when the handle (64) is pivoted, the handle (64) pivots the front section (651) toward the mounting member (66) so that the rear section (652) axially moves toward the mounting member (66), the mounting member (66) and the rear section (652) both are moved and do not restrict the fixed part (62) and the folding seat (63), such that the folding seat (63) pivots an angle about the pin relative to the fixed part (62).
 11. The stair assistance device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the rail unit (2) includes a guide rail (22) which is located at a distance from the toothed rail (21) and parallel to the toothed rail (21), the base (3) is movably engaged between the guide rail (22) and the toothed rail (21), the pulley unit (4) includes a first pulley unit (41) and a second pulley unit (42), the first pulley unit (41) includes multiple top pulleys (411) and each top pulley (411) has an annular groove defined in an outer periphery thereof, the annular groove faces the guide rail (22), the top pulleys (411) are located on different radial directions of the guide rail (22), the second pulley unit (42) includes multiple bottom pulleys (421) which are movably along the toothed rail (21).
 12. The stair assistance device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the rail unit (2) includes a guide rail (22) which is located at a distance from the toothed rail (21) and parallel to the toothed rail (21), the base (3) is movably engaged between the guide rail (22) and the toothed rail (21), the pulley unit (4) includes a first pulley unit (41) and a second pulley unit (42), the first pulley unit (41) includes multiple top pulleys (411) and each top pulley (411) has an annular groove defined in an outer periphery thereof, the annular groove faces the guide rail (22), the top pulleys (411) are located on different radial directions of the guide rail (22), the second pulley unit (42) includes multiple bottom pulleys (421) which are movably along the toothed rail (21).
 13. The stair assistance device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the base (3) includes a housing (30) in which the first pulley unit (41), the second pulley unit (42) and the brake unit (5) are accommodated, the housing (30) includes two side panels (31), a top panel (32), a bottom panel (33), a connection panel (34) and a room (35), the two side panels (31) are located apart from each other, the top panel (32) and the bottom panel (33) are connected between the two side panels (31), the connection panel (34) is connected to one side of the top panel (32) and located between the two side panels (31), the room (35) is defined between the two side panels (31), the top panel (32), the bottom panel (33) and the connection panel (34).
 14. The stair assistance device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the base (3) includes a housing (30) in which the first pulley unit (41), the second pulley unit (42) and the brake unit (5) are accommodated, the housing (30) includes two side panels (31), a top panel (32), a bottom panel (33), a connection panel (34) and a room (35), the two side panels (31) are located apart from each other, the top panel (32) and the bottom panel (33) are connected between the two side panels (31), the connection panel (34) is connected to one side of the top panel (32) and located between the two side panels (31), the room (35) is defined between the two side panels (31), the top panel (32), the bottom panel (33) and the connection panel (34). 